Although little information exists about London silversmith Charles Stuart Harris, his exquisite sterling silverware and serveware — the ornate and distinctive bowls encircled with chased scrolling leaf decoration, the platters featuring Vitruvian scrollwork, the centerpieces with their leaf-capped and scrolled arms he designed as well as those produced by the family firm C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. — is a testament to an age of refinement and elegance.
Harris was from a family of silversmiths active in London in the mid-19th century. In 1817, the firm now known as C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. was founded by John Mark Harris, a spoon maker. His son, John Robert Harris, took over the family company in 1843, listed as a silver spoon and fork manufacturer.
Neoclassical-style sterling-silver goods in Europe gained popularity in the late 18th century — a taste for sterling-silver tableware, as well as tea sets, had taken shape — while in the United States, beginning in the 19th century, preparing the dinner table with sterling-silver flatware had become somewhat of a standard practice.
Around 1852, the business passed to Charles Harris, who was registered as an electroplater and gilder, a maker of spoons and forks as well as a silversmith. At first, under Harris, the family firm continued as a manufacturer of spoons and forks; however, they later expanded into making cutlery and flatware.
By 1881, the company was formally registered under Harris’s name — Charles Stuart Harris — and it earned a reputation for its utilitarian flatware. In 1897, when the business became known as C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd., they were listed as manufacturers and dealers in gold and silverplate. By this time, the company produced additional furnishings and objects such as serveware, candle holders and tea caddies. They also retailed in wire and lace, silver and gold diamond jewelry and watches.
It is said that by 1900, C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. sent more silver to London’s Assay Office to be hallmarked than any other silversmith company. Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, Harris retired. In 1933, C.S. Harris & Sons Ltd. merged with I. Freeman and Company.
Today, items produced by Harris remain highly coveted by collectors of Victorian and Edwardian sterling silverware and decorative objects.
Find antique Charles Stuart Harris silver serveware, decorative objects and more collectibles on 1stDibs.
Victorian sterling silver basket made in London in 1900
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1900 by Charles Stuart Harris, this handsome, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Basket, features shaped reed borders and a reed detailed swing handle. The ba...
Sterling Silver
Stunning Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver Basket or Centrepiece, London 1905
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1905 by Charles Stuart Harris, this attractive, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Basket, is wonderfully decor...
Sterling Silver
$1,798
H 4.5 in W 4.5 in D 2.5 in
EDWARDIAN 1909 Guilloche Enameled Tripod Basket Vase In .925 Sterling Silver
By Eric Kellerman
Located in Miami, FL
A German enameled tripod vase retailed by Erich Kellerman. This is a fantastic three-legged round vase, created in the city of Pforzheim Germany, back in the 1900's. The piece shows...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$2,510 / set
H 7.28 in W 8.85 in D 7.67 in
Silver Art Nouveau Pair of Centrepieces Holders Bruckmann and Sons, Germany 1900
By Bruckmann & Söhne
Located in Vienna, AT
Silver German pair of centrepieces / centerpieces made by Bruckmann & Sons (Germany). Art Nouveau (made circa 1900) Silver 800 branded by German Crescent with Crown Manufactory: Eagle Mark of Bruckmann & Soehne (= SONS), Heilbronn (Germany) Peter Bruckmann (1865-1937) was the first Chairman of the Deutscher Werkbund (founded 1907). Size: Height 18.5 cm ( 7.28 inches) Width 22.5 cm ( 8.85 inches) Depth 19.5 cm ( 7.67 inches) Total weight: 940 grams / 33.08 OZ / 30.22 troy ounces Specifications: Excellently manufactured pair of silver centrepieces / stands / holders: Each of the reticulated oval bowls are based on four slim as well as concave supports which are attached to round base: Edge of these bases is of reticulated type, too. The bowls' corners are decorated with lockets framed...
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian 1899 Sterling Silver Presentation Bowl
By Elkington & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive, large Victorian English sterling silver presentation bowl made by Elkington & Co Ltd; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This...
Sterling Silver
$524Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.76 in W 5.91 in D 1.58 in
Antique Sterling Silver Bowl Small Fruit Basket Relief Pictori Decorative Object
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver bowl small fruit basket with relief, openwork decorative object hallmarked sterling silver oval bon bon dish bowl intricate cut out ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Oversized Antique English Threaded Glass & Sterling Silver Match Strike, 1917
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent oversized English match striker wither a sterling silver mount fully hallmarked for London 1917 (the makers mark is rubbed). Its...
Sterling Silver
Antique Tiffany Victorian Classical Sterling Silver Bowl
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Solid oval well with chased scalloped border. Sides tapering with open diaper and applied pendant flowers...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Antique Silver Gilt Basket, Early 20th Century
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Braintree, GB
Tiffany & Co antique silver-gilt basket for treats or sweets, in woven style with handle. Designer: Tiffany & Co Made in Italy, early 20th century Fully hallmarked. Dimensions ...
Silver
$5,836Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.6 in W 10.24 in D 10.24 in
21° Century Italian Sterling Silver Basket with Handle
By Pampaloni
Located in VALENZA, IT
Gorgeous completely handmade sterling silver basket. Made from a unique sterling silver sheet, except the base, the basket has been hand molded and turned to give it an elegant and ...
Sterling Silver
$348Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.25 in W 2.5 in D 2 in
Small American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Basket
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century Modern sterling silver basket. Rectangular with straight sides and curved ends. Plain rim and fixed and high c-scroll handle. Woven strips. Marked “Sterling”. We...
Sterling Silver
$1,216Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in Dm 2.6 in
Bulgari Sterling Silver Jewelry Bowl / Vase / Rings or Earrings cica 1990´s
By Bulgari
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Bulgari Sterling Silver Jewelry Bowl / Vase / Rings or Earrings cica 1990´s Bulgari BVLGARI sterling silver scalloped Jewelry bowl. Bulgari Miniature Silver Jewelry Bowl. Vide de Po...
Sterling Silver
Lovely Sterling Silver Gorham Edwardian-Style Cake Basket on Pedestal Base
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Lovely, sterling silver, Edwardian-style, cake basket on pedestal base, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year-marked for 1916. Beautiful pierced work. Silver is li...
Sterling Silver
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.15 in W 11.42 in D 9.85 in
Antique Decorative Bucket, Leather, Basket, Stick Stand, Victorian, Circa 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique decorative bucket. An English, leather garden basket, stick stand or storage bin, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900. Wonderfully patinated and rich in co...
Leather
Tiffany 1980s Big & Bold Sterling Silver Basket
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Eighties big and bold sterling silver basket. Round and curved bowl with swing-mounted open c-scroll handle. Capacious. A great piece from the Want-It-All years. Marked “Tiffany &...
Sterling Silver
Pretty Antique Tiffany American Edwardian Sterling Silver Basket
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Pretty Edwardian sterling silver basket. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Solid oval well and open weave-style sides with clusters of applied pendant flowers. Scrolled and asymmetr...
Sterling Silver
Antique Tiffany Victorian Classical Sterling Silver Bowl
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round and curved; rim lobed and turned-down with applied scrolls, scallop shells, and flowers. Leafing sc...
Sterling Silver
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H 4.34 in W 9.45 in D 7.49 in
Victorian sterling silver cake basket made in London in 1900 by C. S. Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1900 by Charles Stuart Harris, this charming, Antique Sterling Silver Basket, features pierced and engraved decoration, and reed borders around the rim and ha...
Sterling Silver
Antique English Sterling Silver Basket London 1888 Charles Stuart Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Antique English sterling silver basket London 1888 Charles Stuart Harris. The sweet basket of oval form, with pierced and embossed decoration, with an app...
Sterling Silver
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H 5.32 in W 14.97 in D 10.04 in
Victorian Basket Weave Sterling Silver Basket by Charles Stuart Harris
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London, 1898 by Charles Stuart Harris, this stylish, Victorian, antique, sterling silver basket, stands on cast naturalistic feet, and features a basket weave finish to...
Sterling Silver
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H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Set 3 Victorian Antique Silver Baskets / Fruit Baskets London, 1897-1878
By Charles Stuart Harris
Located in London, GB
A set of 3 impressive Antique Victorian Silver Baskets - one of a larger size and the other two a matched pair. All three have the same traditional George III neoclassical Adams styl...
Sterling Silver